Singharaja - World Heritage Rain forest

Singharaja World Heritage Rain forest is largely undisturbed most famous rain forest in Sri Lanka. This important forest is also a man and biosphere forest reserve. It is home to a large number of endemic species. The Sinharaja region has long featured in the legends and lore of the people of Sri Lanka. Its name, literally meaning Lion (Sinha) king (Raja), perhaps refers to the original ‘king sized or royal forest of the Sinhalese. Sinharaja Rain Forest (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the last viable remnant of Sri Lanka's tropical lowland rain forest spanning an area of 18900 acres is located within "Sabaragamuwa" and Southern provinces of the south west lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka. One of the few virgin forests left in the world. Streams, springs, rivers, waterfalls, leopard, monkeys, butterflies and moths, rare trees, valuable shrubs and medicinal herbs are all found within its green canopy. It is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rain forests in Sri Lanka. This rain forest covers an extent of about 11187 hectares from east to west of Sri Lanka. The length of the Rain forest is about 21 km and width from North to South is about 3.7 km. 
Sinharaja Rain forest is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rain forest  more than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to over 50% of Sri Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians. There are three access points to Sinharaja forest. Easiest route from Colombo is to go to "Rathnapura", "Kalawana", "Weddagala" and enter the forest through "Kudawa" entrance at northwestern edge of the forest. You can stay at Forest department managed "Kudawa" camp. You can also stay at "Martin’s Lodge" or "Blue Magpie lodge" situated close the forest. Second entrance is from "Galle" or "Mathara" you can go to "Deniyaya" and then enter the forest through "Pitadeiniya" Entrance  at Southern edge of the forest. You can stay at "Pitadeniya" conservation resource center. You can also enter the forest by going to "Deniyaya", then turn off main road just south of "Suriyakanda" and enter the forest through "Morning Side" Entrance at eastern side of the forest.